THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
105 
| May 15." 
of Botany is also a half-crown monthly, gives five beautifully coloured 
portraits of fruits and flowers, besides woodcuts of others, and of all 
subjects connnected with gardening, besides essays on gardening sub¬ 
jects. The shilling covers of The Cottage Gardener, are handsome, 
and will not disgrace your bookshelf. 
Crystals on Leaves of Ice Plant ( Publicus ).—It is quite un¬ 
explained why the secretion on the leaves of this plant ( Mesembryanthe- 
mum crystallinum ) retain a solid form, for it is chiefly water, containing, 
according to the analysis of Dr. Volcker, albumen, oxalic acid, chloride 
of sodium (common salt), potash, magnesia, and sulphuric acid. 
Wasps ( 31 . O.).— There is no doubt that destroying wasps during 
April and May prevents the formation of so many nests. The Earl of 
Trequair offers a reward annually for all wasps brought in previously to 
the 1st of June. In 1844, were destroyed, 224 dozen; in 1845, 1573 
dozen; in 1846, not a wasp found; in 1847, 4 dozen; in 1848, 1273J 
dozen; in 1849, 856.J dozen ; and in 1850, 528J dozen. ( limb's Year 
Boole of Facts.) 
Scarlet Geraniums ( Georgiana ).—Your scarlet geranium is one of 
those fortunate plants of which the name is forgotten, or lost, to this 
cutting-making world, and is therefore permitted to live quietly in its 
native province, while others of its family, perhaps less worthy of public 
patronage, can neither rest or slumber, here, or there, or anywhere else. 
We are delighted to hear that your husband “marvels ” at your success, 
through the instrumentality of our pages. Greater things, however, in 
the same line are in store. May they prove equally available to you. 
j Indian Seeds ( J . S. S.). —Mr. Beaton has long since anticipated your 
I questions. There is no difficulty in getting them home by the overland 
! route, if they are well dried, and put up in coarse brown paper packets, 
! then in a rough box, or among passengers luggage, without being 
hermetically sealed ; the more loose they are the better. Powdered 
camphor is the best thing to keep away insects from them. May we beg 
of you, and, indeed, any of our readers, who may detect grubs or insects 
amor.g foreign seeds, to pack them in the barrel of a quill, and send them 
to J. 0. Westwood , Esq., Brunswick Cottages, Hammersmith. They 
may be more valuable than seeds. 
Brugmansia-bed (S. J. F.). —A southern aspect is best for it, a west 
aspect next best, and a sheltered situation is also desirable, that is, 
sheltered from high winds, and from cold north and east winds. Three 
plants will be enough, they will fill the increased space by the time they 
are well established. The grand secret is to keep them perfectly dry in 
winter. 
Lily ( Eliza L.). —Some one has very likely made a mistake in the 
name. There is no such name in use as trumpet lily, as far as we know, 
and we suspect Turncap or Tiger lily is the name intended. If so, you 
will see it treated of by Mr. Appleby among other lilies, at page 309 of 
our second volume. 
Peach-trees Failing (G. G.).— You must look deeper into the sub¬ 
ject of peach culture for a radical cure, than the wire worm. Strange, 
so explicit as we have been about the peach, that there should still 
be misapprehension. We have wire worms too, but we pay no heed to 
them (although great rogues), and at this moment our peaches are a 
model. But we do not tolerate the aphides for a day, neither the red 
spider. We have no doubt that with a perfect immunity from these two 
pests at all times, that the peach will succeed in almost any ordinary 
loam, heath, or sandy soils, the two latter requiring good mulching after a 
May rain. We do not like much engine work out doors ; certainly not 
in the north. Pray study our back papers on the peach. Follow them 
to the very making of the platforms, and we will guarantee you success 
to your heart’s content. 
White Flowers ( Litlierland ). —The Sweet Alyssum will spread 
eighteen inches or two feet, and rise hardly a foot, and bloom till the frost 
stops it; the white Clarkia grows upright, and flowers for six weeks; 
and the white Malope grows upright, from two to four feet, according to 
the soil. White Verbenas, and white Petunias are abundant, and bloom 
to the end of the season. White Candytuft, Navelwort, and Calendula 
liybrida, are not quite so high as Clarkia, but they bloom as long, and 
may be sown to the end of May. There is an old white-leaned plant 
called Sea Ragwort, quite hardy, that would suit your purpose as well as 
white flowers. Yellow flowers are abundant. 
Camellias Scorched (Flora). —The leaves are sun-burnt, and no art 
will ever restore the brown parts to a healthy green. Your geranium 
leaves may be discoloured from old age, but if not, the roots are in a bad 
state indeed, but we pick off such leaves every week in the year, from 
plants that are quite healthy. The Catalonian Jasmine never opens all its 
flower-buds with us, unless on grafted plants confined at the roots. The 
plants flower all the better if the shoots are stopped at every second joint 
all the time they are growing. When they are allowed to grow in their 
own way all the summer, they seldom open their flower-buds without a 
little forcing. 
Camellia Leaves, &c. (G. B.). — We cannot say whathas caused the 
specks on the young leaves of your Camellias without seeing one of them. 
The other leaves you inclosed are totally destroyed by the thrips, by far 
the most dangerous of all the insects which infect house plants, and more 
difficult to get rid of than either green fly or red spider. If you turn to 
our indexes you will see how to deal with the thrips. 
Liguid Manure (Ibid). —A vessel capable of holding 100 gallons is 
filled up one-third with horse and cow-dung, “with a small quantity of 
guano,” then filled up with soft water, and a pound of sulphuric acid— 
is enough to kill all the greenhouse plants in Liverpool, if the materials in 
the hash were of the usual strength. It is an excellent compound, never¬ 
theless, but for greenhouse plants, use two gallons of soft water to every 
gallon of the prepared liquid, and apply it at every second watering for 
the greenhouse plants; little and often is better than strong doses at 
long intervals. 
Camellias Drooping (S. W ,).—If your Camellias are well rooted 
you need have no fear about the young wood drooping under a bright 
sun, after so much dull weather, even at the day temperature of 90 °. 
You have no doubt observed cabbages, and other coarse plants, in the 
open ground, drooping under similar circumstances. The principle on 
which such severity hinges, has been ably explained by Mr. Fish, in 
the number for the first of this month. We would still try them in the 
stove with a slight shading ; but the Azaleas had better not be tried in 
the stove, as their roots are certainly at fault, else the leaves would not 
turn yellow at this season. 
Double Dark Primroses. — F. S. H. wishes to know where some of 
these can be procured. 
Rough Plate Glass. —We are informed that although the importa¬ 
tion of glass into France is at present prohibited, special permission has, 
however, been granted by the French government for the introduction of 
a quantity of Hartley’s Patent Rough Plate (supplied by Messrs. James 
Phillips and Co., of 116, Bishopsgate-street Without), for experimental 
purposes, on the application of some influential horticulturists, who have 
witnessed the results attained by the use of that article in this country. 
Vinegar Plant (W. K. M. S .).— We have seen the statement that a 
lady had a large fungus in her stomach, owing to her having indulged in 
vinegar made by this plant, and we believe it to be a tissue of falsehoods. 
Clayey Soil (J. Newland). —Road drift will improve the staple of 
your soil; so will coal-ashes; so will tanner’s bark ; but we cannot tell | 
how much of such applications will be necessary to apply before you 
render your soil friable. Get a barrow load of a compost of all the addi- J 
tions we have named, and a barrow load of your soil, and mix them 
thoroughly; this will be your best guide. Thanks for your invitation, 
but we cannot promise. We coincide with your feelings, but can have 
nothing to do with testimonials. 
Wire Worms (A. B - , East Lothian). — We wish we could tell you 
how to preserve your carrots effectually from the wire worm. Frequently 
forking over the soil and picking them out; and persevering in hoeing, are 
now your only resource; and, it is said, sowing white mustard among the 
crop will get rid of them. Try the latter, you can remove the mustard 
before it injures your crop. 
Miss Martineau’s Cow-keeper.— A correspondent (31. 31. B.) 
wishes to know “ in which union in Norfolk labourers are instructed, and 
from whence Miss Martineau obtained her servant ? ” 
Work on Bees (J. W. K .).— The name of that by A Country Curate, 
is The English Bee-keeper. It is an excellent little work, and we regret 
that want of leisure alone has prevented us hitherto noticing it more 
fully, as we intend. 
Rose Cuttings (W. L.). —Thanks for those of the Blair rose. 
Cheap Labels. — We are informed that those inquired for by 
R. W. 31., are to be obtained from Messrs. Deane, King William-street, 
London Bridge. 
Weevil (E. P.). —Unless we saw the specimen, it is quite out of our 
power to tell its name. There are hundreds of species of Curculio. 
Asphalts for Flooring (S. N. T.). —The best composition with 
which to form this, is perfectly dry lime rubbish, sifted very fine, made 
into a stiff mortar with boiling gas tar. It may be put on about two 
inches thick, smoothened with a plaisterer’s trowel, sprinkled over with 
a little of the sifted lime, and when sufficiently cold and hard, beaten 
gently quite smooth. In a day or two it will be as hard as asphalte. 
Beef and Mutton Chemically Prepared. —A correspondent (L.) 
wishes to know the process for thus preparing “the mess beef and mutton 
at Morlaix,” mentioned in Rambles through France, by the Times Com¬ 
missioner in 1840, page 48. 
Index (T. Simpson). —If we could get enough subscribers to cover the 
expense we would publish a general index at the end of our sixth 
volume. 
Rustic Dove-iiouse (B. C .).—We cannot undertake to furnish such 
plans. 
Names of Plants (R. L. B.).—Abutilon striatum. (E. B.). — 1 . 
Lonicera irylosteum (Fly Honeysuckle). 2. Lonieera alpigena (Alpine 
Honeysuckle). 
Bellows for Fumigating Bees, &c. —In answer to a correspondent, 
B. B. writes thus:—“The lamp I use is a cylinder, three inches and a 
half long, and two inches and a half wide, with a small tube at each end, 
one to fit the bellows, the other flattened to enter the hive ; within the 
cylinder, at each end, is a perforated plate. The cylinder consists of two 
parts ; the part nearest the bellows should lap over the other, as then I 
find the smoke does not so easily escape. Mine is made of copper, and 
brased ; it cost 3s. 6d. Of tin, rivetted, it maybe made for Is. 6d. I 
generally commence operation as soon as it is dusk, and the bees all in. 
The lamp, containing one packet of Neighbour’s prepared fungus, (puff¬ 
ball, well dried, will do as well) amply suffices for two hives. Six hives, 
to which I added bees in the autumn, although left rather short at the 
beginning of winter, are now doing well, and working vigorously. A hive 
to which no bees were added, weighing (1st of April) 20i}lbs., is doing 
little or no work. I have, since the 15 th of February, been giving the six 
hives 3 oz. of Mr. Golding’s syrup every other day ; this I have now ( 26 th 
April) discontinued. I strongly advise ‘ A Recent Subscriber ’ to adopt 
the plan of uniting. He may do it without risk of injury or fear of success 
by attentioa to the directions. In the account of the burial of bees, page 
12, I ought to have added, that the combs and hive were perfectly free 
from mildew, and as dry as when put in the ground. I was convinced, as 
was an old bee master averse to burying, that the bees, in this instance, 
died of starvation. The consumption was such as will not induce me to 
repeat the experiment. Where may prepared barley sugar be obtained, 
and at what price ? I prefer it for feeding. The objection is, the diffi¬ 
culty of preparing is greater than that of syrup, and the cost here to 
buy, what the bees do not all consume, is lOd. per lb. How do you 
account for Tulips throwing up three or four flowers from one stalk ? I 
have had this for three years.”—[We should like to have an off-set of 
this Tulip]. 
London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, 
in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William 
Somerville Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of 
Christ Church, City of London.—May 15th, 1851. 
